I’ve halted the migrant invasion, claims Matteo Salvini

The crew of the charity ship Lifeline rescued 234 migrants off the coast of Libya last weekHERMINE POSCHMANN/REUTERS

The Italian interior minister declared a victory in his battle against migrants yesterday when Malta agreed to accept a boat full of rescued Africans after a week-long squabble with Rome.

The German charity ship Lifeline had appealed for a safe port to disembark 234 migrants rescued off the coast of Libya. Using the phrase “stop the invasion”, Matteo Salvini suggested Malta’s acceptance of the Lifeline showed he was making good on his pledge to stop migrants reaching Italy, and to end patrols by charity rescue ships, which he argues entice them to make the trip.

“The doors are open for women and children genuinely fleeing from war, but not for all the rest,” Mr Salvini tweeted. Referring to Malta’s offer to take the migrants from…

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